{"id":9366,"date":"2026-07-23T08:49:57","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T08:49:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/?p=9366"},"modified":"2026-09-26T08:06:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T08:06:25","slug":"jerusalem-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/jerusalem-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"Jerusalem Tour"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- Paste into a WordPress Custom HTML block. CSS is stored separately in 01-PASTE-IN-ADDITIONAL-CSS.css --><\/p>\n<p><main id=\"cic-jerusalem-tour\" class=\"cic-tour-page\"><\/main><\/p>\n<div class=\"full-bleed\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hero-image\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/03-jerusalem-tour.webp\" alt=\"Jerusalem DIY Pilgrimage Guide\"><\/div>\n<header class=\"title-panel\">\n<p class=\"eyebrow\">Christian Information Center \u00b7 DIY Tours<\/p>\n<h1>Jerusalem<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<nav class=\"jump-nav\" aria-label=\"Page sections\"><a href=\"#day-1-the-passion-the-resurrection\">Day 1 \u2014 The Passion &amp; the Resurrection<\/a><a href=\"#day-2-the-ascent-the-agony\">Day 2 \u2014 The Ascent &amp; the Agony<\/a><a href=\"#day-3-the-hidden-years-the-modern-witness\">Day 3 \u2014 The Hidden Years &amp; the Modern Witness<\/a><a href=\"#the-pilgrims-digital-backpack-jerusalem-edition\">The Pilgrim&#8217;s Digital Backpack \u2014 Jerusalem Edition<\/a><\/nav>\n<div class=\"content-shell\">\n<p class=\"city-intro\">Jerusalem is the heart of every pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Base yourself in or near the Old City if you can \u2014 it lets you reach the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa and Mount Zion on foot, and puts the Mount of Olives within easy walking or a short taxi ride.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\">\n<table class=\"tour-table compact\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>If you have\u2026<\/th>\n<th>Do this<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>1 day<\/td>\n<td>Focus on the heart of the Passion and Resurrection: the CIC, the Via Dolorosa, the Holy Sepulchre and Mount Zion (Day 1 below).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>2 days<\/td>\n<td>Add the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane and the Garden of the Agony (Day 1 + Day 2 below).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>3 days<\/td>\n<td>Add a half-day excursion to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, and Yad Vashem (Day 1 + Day 2 + Day 3 below).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"day-1-the-passion-the-resurrection\" class=\"day-title\">Day 1 \u2014 The Passion &amp; the Resurrection<\/h2>\n<p class=\"focus\"><strong>Focus:<\/strong> the historical and spiritual foundations of the Paschal Mystery<\/p>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 1<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Christian Information Centre (Jaffa Gate)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Your starting point for the whole pilgrimage. Before walking the Via Dolorosa, visit the Multimedia Exhibition, which uses projections to show the Holy Sepulchre through different historical periods and gives you the context for everything you will see today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Hours:<\/strong> see the CIC Opening Hours page (link in Quick Reference).<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Fee:<\/strong> small entrance fee for the Multimedia Exhibition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cicts.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Christian Information Center \u2014 official website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 2<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Walk down the hill to the Church of the Flagellation, where the traditional 14 Stations of the Cross begin. The route climbs back up through the Old City market streets toward the site of the Crucifixion and Resurrection.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;He went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Skull.&#8221; (John 19:17)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Duration:<\/strong> about 45\u201360 minutes on foot, unhurried, including brief stops at each Station.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> start early to avoid both the heat and the market crowds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/flagellation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 Sanctuary of the Flagellation (Stations 1\u20132)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 3<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (Anastasis)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>The holiest site in Christendom, sheltering both Calvary and the Empty Tomb under one roof. Take time to walk the whole church, and use what you learned at the CIC exhibition to recognize the different layers of history beneath the stones.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.&#8221; (John 2:19)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Hours:<\/strong> open very early morning until evening, with seasonal variation \u2014 check the CIC page the same day; arriving before 7:30 AM or after 5 PM avoids the worst crowds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Fee:<\/strong> free entry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Dress code:<\/strong> shoulders and knees covered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Mass:<\/strong> Catholic Masses are celebrated daily at Calvary, the Tomb and the Chapel of the Apparition, early in the morning \u2014 no reservation needed for individuals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/basilica-of-the-holy-sepulchre\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 4<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Mount Zion &amp; the Southern Quarters<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Visit the Cenacle (the Upper Room of the Last Supper) and the Tomb of King David, then walk through the Armenian and Jewish Quarters toward the Western Wall (Kotel) and the Lion&#8217;s Gate, experiencing the living diversity of the Holy City.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.&#8221; (cf. Luke 24:30-35)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Dress code:<\/strong> modest dress also expected at the Western Wall; head covering provided for men at the entrance if needed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> this is a good point to end Day 1 and rest before an early Day 2.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/st-francis-ad-coenaculum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 St. Francis ad Coenaculum (the Cenacle)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<h2 id=\"day-2-the-ascent-the-agony\" class=\"day-title\">Day 2 \u2014 The Ascent &amp; the Agony<\/h2>\n<p class=\"focus\"><strong>Focus:<\/strong> the teachings and prayer of Jesus on the Mount of Olives<\/p>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 1<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Mount of Olives<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>A ridge facing the Old City, covered with pivotal Gospel sites. Begin at the Church of the Ascension and the Pater Noster Church, where the Lord&#8217;s Prayer is inscribed on tiled walls in over 140 languages.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Getting there:<\/strong> taxi, ride-hailing app, or a moderate uphill walk from the Old City via the Kidron Valley; most pilgrims start at the top and walk downhill. Check Moovit for the current bus option to the summit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/gethsemane-basilica-agony\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 Gethsemane &amp; the Mount of Olives shrines<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 2<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Sanctuary of Bethphage<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>On the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, the traditional starting point of the Palm Sunday procession. Inside, the &#8220;Stele of Bethphage&#8221; recalls the moment Jesus chose to enter Jerusalem humbly, on a donkey, rather than as a conquering king.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there.&#8221; (Matthew 21:1-2)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/bethphage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 Bethphage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 3<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Dominus Flevit &amp; Gethsemane<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Stop at Dominus Flevit, shaped like a teardrop, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, then descend to the Basilica of Gethsemane (Church of All Nations) beside the ancient olive trees of the garden of the Agony.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;My soul is sorrowful, even to death.&#8221; (Matthew 26:38)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Dress code:<\/strong> modest dress required; the basilica interior is deliberately dim for prayer \u2014 keep voices low.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/dominus-flevit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 Dominus Flevit<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 4<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Tomb of the Virgin Mary &amp; St. Stephen&#8217;s<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nearby, visit the Tomb of the Virgin Mary and, if open, St. Stephen&#8217;s Church, traditionally marking the site of the first Christian martyrdom.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/gethsemane-basilica-agony\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 the Mount of Olives shrines (incl. the Tomb of the Virgin Mary)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<h2 id=\"day-3-the-hidden-years-the-modern-witness\" class=\"day-title\">Day 3 \u2014 The Hidden Years &amp; the Modern Witness<\/h2>\n<p class=\"focus\"><strong>Focus:<\/strong> Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist, and a solemn encounter with modern history<\/p>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 1<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Church of St. John the Baptist (Ein Karem)<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>This village on the western edge of Jerusalem is the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist, the one who prepared the way for the Lord.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;His name is John.&#8221; (Luke 1:63)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Getting there:<\/strong> Egged bus 17 from central Jerusalem runs directly into Ein Karem.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/ain-karem-saint-john-the-baptist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 Ain Karem, St. John the Baptist<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 2<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>The Church of the Visitation<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>On a hillside above the village, this church commemorates Mary&#8217;s visit to her cousin Elizabeth and the meeting of the two expectant mothers.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;My soul magnifies the Lord.&#8221; (Luke 1:46)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/ain-karem-visitation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 Ain Karem, the Visitation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 3<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>St. John in the Desert<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>A short distance from the village center, this church marks the traditional place where John prepared in solitude for his ministry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.custodia.org\/en\/sanctuaries\/ain-karem-st-john-desert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Custody of the Holy Land \u2014 Ain Karem, St. John in the Desert<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"stop-card\">\n<div class=\"stop-heading\">\n<p><span class=\"stop-number\">Stop 4<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Yad Vashem \u2014 The Holocaust Museum<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<p>On the Mount of Remembrance, on your way back from Ein Karem, this is the world memorial to the victims of the Holocaust \u2014 a solemn and important encounter with modern history.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Fee:<\/strong> entrance to the museum is free; a fee applies for parking.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Getting there:<\/strong> Egged bus 82 (&#8220;Yad Vashem &amp; Mount Herzl&#8221;) or the Jerusalem Light Rail to the Mount Herzl terminus, then a short signposted walk.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Note:<\/strong> closed on Shabbat (Friday afternoon and Saturday) and on some Jewish holidays \u2014 check before you plan Day 3 for a Friday or Saturday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"info-line\"><strong>Time needed:<\/strong> allow at least 2\u20133 hours.<\/p>\n<p class=\"source-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yadvashem.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u2197 Yad Vashem \u2014 official website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n<h2 id=\"the-pilgrims-digital-backpack-jerusalem-edition\" class=\"backpack-title\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83c\udf92<\/span> The Pilgrim&#8217;s Digital Backpack \u2014 Jerusalem Edition<\/h2>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\">\n<table class=\"tour-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Feature<\/th>\n<th>Good to know<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Exclusive blessing<\/td>\n<td>Visit the Franciscan Corner Bookshop at Jaffa Gate for a Candle of the Holy Sepulchre, custom-made and blessed by the friars at the Tomb.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Multimedia exhibit<\/td>\n<td>Inside the CIC at Jaffa Gate \u2014 high-tech projections tracing the Holy Sepulchre&#8217;s history through the centuries. Small entrance fee.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Transport<\/td>\n<td>Old City: on foot only. For Day 3, take bus 17 to Ein Karem and bus 82 or the Light Rail (to Mount Herzl) for Yad Vashem \u2014 see cicts.org\/en\/bus-jerusalem or Moovit for live times.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Entry<\/td>\n<td>Most shrines are free to enter; the Multimedia Exhibit and Yad Vashem parking have a small fee.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Mass booking<\/td>\n<td>Contact the Franciscan Pilgrims&#8217; Office (fpo@cicts.org) to reserve a group Mass at the Holy Sepulchre or Gethsemane.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Dress code<\/td>\n<td>Shoulders and knees covered at every church; a scarf in your bag solves this instantly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best time to start<\/td>\n<td>Before 7:30 AM at the Holy Sepulchre to beat both the heat and the crowds.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"practical\" aria-labelledby=\"cic-jerusalem-tour-practical-title\">\n<h2 id=\"cic-jerusalem-tour-practical-title\">Plan Your Visit<\/h2>\n<div class=\"practical-grid\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cicts.org\/en\/updated-opening-hours-holy-places-tourist-sites-holy-land\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Opening Hours<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/masses-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Masses &amp; Liturgical Services<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/services\/accommodation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Accommodations<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/services\/transportation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Transportation<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/useful-links\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Useful Links<\/a><\/div>\n<p class=\"contact-line\"><strong>Christian Information Center:<\/strong> Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem \u00b7 <a href=\"tel:+97226272692\">+972-2-6272692<\/a> \u00b7&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"more-tours\" aria-label=\"More DIY tours\">\n<h2>Explore More DIY Tours<\/h2>\n<div class=\"tour-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/category\/diy-tours\/jerusalem-tour\/\">Jerusalem<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/category\/diy-tours\/bethlehem-tour\/\">Bethlehem<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/category\/diy-tours\/nazareth-galilei\/\">Nazareth &amp; Galilee<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/category\/diy-tours\/adventures-tour\/\">Adventures<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"contact-banner\" src=\"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/07-diy-footer-contact.webp\" alt=\"Christian Information Center contact information\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Christian Information Center \u00b7 DIY Tours Jerusalem Day 1 \u2014 The Passion &amp; the ResurrectionDay 2 \u2014 The Ascent &amp; the AgonyDay 3 \u2014 The Hidden Years &amp; the Modern WitnessThe Pilgrim&#8217;s Digital Backpack \u2014 Jerusalem Edition Jerusalem is the heart of every pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Base yourself in or near the Old [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-jerusalem-tour"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9366"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9949,"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9366\/revisions\/9949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.elementcore.co\/CICTS\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}